Schneider Electric TeSys Deca LC1D contactors are widely used for controlling three-phase motors, pumps, fans, compressors, HVAC equipment, machinery and industrial control systems.
Choosing the correct Schneider LC1D contactor means checking more than just the amp rating. You need to consider:
Motor power in kW
Motor full-load current
Supply voltage
Utilisation category
Control coil voltage
Required overload protection
Any auxiliary contacts or accessories required
Western Automation stocks an extensive range of Schneider Electric LC1D contactors, with technical support available to help identify replacements and select the correct contactor, coil voltage, overload relay and associated TeSys accessories.
The table below provides a quick selection guide for common Schneider TeSys Deca 3-pole contactors used with three-phase motors at approximately 400V.
| Schneider Contactor | AC-3 / AC-3e Current | Typical Motor Rating at 400V | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| LC1D09 | 9A | 4kW | Small pumps, fans and machinery |
| LC1D12 | 12A | 5.5kW | Pumps, fans, conveyors and HVAC |
| LC1D18 | 18A | 7.5kW | Pumps, compressors and machinery |
| LC1D25 | 25A | 11kW | Motor starters, HVAC and machinery |
| LC1D32 | 32A | 15kW | Larger pumps, fans and industrial motors |
| LC1D38 | 38A | 18.5kW | Pumps, compressors and industrial machinery |
| LC1D40 / LC1D40A | 40A | 18.5kW | Industrial motor control and HVAC |
| LC1D50 / LC1D50A | 50A | 22kW | Pumps, compressors and larger machinery |
| LC1D65 / LC1D65A | 65A | 30kW | Larger industrial motors and plant |
| LC1D80 | 80A | 37kW | Heavy-duty motor control applications |
| LC1D95 | 95A | 45kW | Larger industrial motors and machinery |
Important: the motor kW figures above are a selection guide for typical three-phase motor applications at around 400V. Always confirm the motor's actual full-load current, operating duty and Schneider rating before final selection.
For a standard three-phase motor, start with the motor nameplate.
You normally need to identify:
1. Motor power – kW
For example:
4kW motor → typically LC1D09
5.5kW motor → typically LC1D12
7.5kW motor → typically LC1D18
11kW motor → typically LC1D25
15kW motor → typically LC1D32
18.5kW motor → typically LC1D38 or appropriate 40A frame
22kW motor → typically LC1D50
30kW motor → typically LC1D65
37kW motor → typically LC1D80
45kW motor → typically LC1D95
2. Motor full-load current
Do not select a contactor from motor kW alone.
The motor nameplate full-load current should be checked against the contactor's relevant AC-3 or AC-3e operational current rating.
For example, if a motor is rated at 14A, an LC1D12 would normally be too small even if another characteristic appeared suitable. The next suitable contactor rating would need to be considered.
3. Control coil voltage
This is one of the most common causes of ordering the wrong Schneider contactor.
The coil voltage is not necessarily the same as the motor supply voltage.
A 400V three-phase motor starter could, for example, use a contactor with:
24V AC control
24V DC control
110V AC control
230V AC control
400/415V AC control
Always check the control circuit voltage before ordering.
The final characters of an LC1D part number normally identify its control coil.
Common examples include:
| Coil Code | Control Voltage |
|---|---|
| B7 | 24V AC 50/60Hz |
| BD | 24V DC |
| F7 | 110V AC 50/60Hz |
| M7 | 220V AC 50/60Hz |
| P7 | 230V AC 50/60Hz |
| U7 | 240V AC 50/60Hz |
| V7 | 400V AC 50/60Hz |
| N7 | 415V AC 50/60Hz |
For example:
LC1D18B7
means:
LC1D = Schneider TeSys Deca contactor
18 = 18A contactor
B7 = 24V AC coil
Similarly:
LC1D25F7
is a 25A LC1D contactor with a 110V AC coil.
And:
LC1D32P7
is a 32A LC1D contactor with a 230V AC coil.
Schneider also offers additional coil voltages and, on certain TeSys Deca versions, wide-range AC/DC electronic coils.
If you are replacing an existing contactor, checking the complete part number is normally the quickest way to identify the correct coil.
The Schneider LC1D09 is rated at 9A AC-3/AC-3e and is commonly used for motors up to approximately 4kW at 400V.
Typical applications include:
Small pumps
Fans
HVAC equipment
Compressors
Conveyors
Small industrial machinery
Popular variants include LC1D09B7, LC1D09F7, LC1D09BD and other coil-voltage options.
The LC1D12 increases the AC-3 rating to 12A and is typically selected for motors up to approximately 5.5kW at 400V.
It is commonly used in:
HVAC panels
Pumps
Fans
Small compressors
Motor control centres
Machine control panels
The Schneider LC1D18 is one of the most commonly used TeSys contactors and is rated at 18A AC-3/AC-3e.
It is typically suitable for motors up to approximately 7.5kW at 400V.
Common applications include pumps, fans, air-handling equipment, compressors and industrial machinery.
The LC1D25 is rated at 25A AC-3/AC-3e and is typically used with motors up to approximately 11kW at 400V.
It is widely found in industrial control panels, pump sets, ventilation systems and machinery.
The Schneider LC1D32 provides a 32A AC-3/AC-3e rating and is typically suitable for motors up to approximately 15kW at 400V.
It is commonly used for larger pumps, fans, compressors and machine-control applications.
The LC1D38 is rated at 38A AC-3/AC-3e and is commonly selected for motors up to approximately 18.5kW at 400V.
It is often used where an application requires more capacity than the LC1D32 while retaining a compact TeSys Deca contactor.
The LC1D40 family provides a 40A motor-control rating and is typically suitable for approximately 18.5kW at 400V.
Current Schneider references within this frame may use the LC1D40A designation depending on product version and coil arrangement.
When replacing an existing unit, check the complete existing part number rather than selecting solely from the front-frame current rating.
The LC1D50 family is rated at 50A AC-3/AC-3e and is typically suitable for motors up to approximately 22kW at 400V.
These contactors are commonly used on larger pumps, compressors, industrial fans and machinery.
The Schneider LC1D65 family is rated at 65A AC-3/AC-3e and is typically suitable for approximately 30kW at 400V.
It is commonly found in larger industrial motor-control applications, HVAC plant and pumping systems.
The Schneider LC1D80 is an 80A TeSys Deca contactor commonly used for motors up to approximately 37kW at 400V, subject to the exact application and motor characteristics.
The LC1D80 uses a larger physical frame than the smaller LC1D contactors, so accessory and overload compatibility should always be checked when replacing or designing a starter.
The LC1D95 is rated at 95A AC-3 and is commonly selected for three-phase motors up to approximately 45kW at 400V.
This contactor is used in larger industrial motor starters, pumps, compressors, fans and process machinery.
A contactor can have several different current ratings depending on the type of load it is switching.
This is important because a contactor advertised with a high current rating is not necessarily suitable for a motor of the same current.
AC-1 applies mainly to non-inductive or slightly inductive loads such as resistive heating.
AC-3 is the traditional utilisation category used when selecting contactors for squirrel-cage motors.
The contactor makes the motor starting current and switches the motor off once it is running normally.
AC-3e is used in current Schneider specifications alongside AC-3 for motor-control applications.
When choosing an LC1D for a motor, use the appropriate motor-control AC-3/AC-3e rating, rather than simply using an AC-1 resistive-load current figure.
In many conventional direct-on-line motor starters, the contactor is combined with an appropriate overload relay.
The contactor switches the motor.
The overload relay helps protect the motor against sustained overload conditions.
The overload must be selected according to the motor full-load current, not simply by matching the LC1D contactor number.
For example, the same LC1D contactor can potentially be used with different overload ranges depending on the motor being protected.
Western Automation can help select the correct Schneider TeSys overload relay to suit the LC1D contactor and motor current.
Many Schneider LC1D three-pole contactors include 1 normally-open and 1 normally-closed auxiliary contact as standard.
These can be used for functions such as:
Contactor status
Electrical interlocking
Holding circuits
PLC indication
BMS status
Control logic
Additional Schneider LADN-series auxiliary contact blocks and other TeSys accessories can be added where required.
Compatibility should be checked for the specific LC1D frame.
Often, yes.
Schneider Electric's TeSys range developed from the former Telemecanique motor-control product ranges, so many older installations contain Telemecanique-labelled contactors with familiar LC1D references.
However, do not assume that every old contactor can be replaced solely by matching the current rating.
Check:
Complete existing part number
Motor current
Number of poles
Coil voltage
Auxiliary contacts
Overload relay
Mechanical or electrical interlocks
Physical dimensions and wiring
Any fitted suppressor or accessory modules
If you have an old Schneider or Telemecanique contactor and cannot identify the replacement, send Western Automation the existing part number or a clear photograph of the contactor label.
Suppose you have:
Three-phase motor
400V supply
7.5kW motor
Standard motor duty
24V AC control circuit
From the LC1D selection table, the starting point would typically be:
LC1D18
The 24V AC coil code is:
B7
Giving the complete contactor reference:
LC1D18B7
The motor nameplate current should then be checked and an appropriate overload relay selected for that current.
For an approximately 11kW, 400V three-phase motor, the typical contactor selection is:
LC1D25
If the machine uses a 110V AC control circuit:
F7 = 110V AC
giving:
LC1D25F7
Again, confirm the actual motor current and operating conditions before final selection.
For an approximately 15kW motor at 400V, a typical selection is:
LC1D32
For a 230V AC control circuit:
P7 = 230V AC
giving:
LC1D32P7
This illustrates why both the motor rating and control coil voltage are needed to select the complete Schneider part number.
For a typical three-phase 400V motor up to approximately 4kW, the Schneider LC1D09 is commonly used. Confirm the actual motor full-load current and duty before selection.
A typical Schneider selection for a 5.5kW three-phase motor at approximately 400V is the LC1D12, rated at 12A AC-3/AC-3e.
For a standard three-phase 7.5kW motor at approximately 400V, the Schneider LC1D18 is commonly selected. It has an 18A AC-3/AC-3e rating.
For an 11kW three-phase motor at approximately 400V, the typical Schneider TeSys selection is the LC1D25, rated at 25A AC-3/AC-3e.
The LC1D32 is commonly used for a standard 15kW three-phase motor at approximately 400V, subject to confirmation of the motor full-load current and application.
Depending on the precise motor current and application, the LC1D38 or appropriate 40A TeSys Deca frame may be suitable for approximately 18.5kW at 400V. Check the motor nameplate current before making the final selection.
A typical Schneider TeSys selection for approximately 22kW at 400V is the LC1D50 / LC1D50A family.
The LC1D65 / LC1D65A family is commonly selected for approximately 30kW three-phase motors at 400V.
The LC1D80 is commonly used for motor-control applications up to approximately 37kW at 400V, subject to the motor's actual full-load current and duty.
The LC1D95 is commonly used for motors up to approximately 45kW at 400V under the relevant motor-control utilisation category.
B7 normally identifies a 24V AC 50/60Hz control coil.
For example, an LC1D18B7 is an LC1D18 contactor with a 24V AC coil.
BD identifies a 24V DC coil on applicable Schneider LC1D contactors.
Do not confuse BD with B7: one is DC and the other is AC.
Not necessarily.
A 400V three-phase motor may be controlled by a contactor with a 24V AC, 24V DC, 110V AC, 230V AC or another coil voltage.
The control circuit must therefore be checked separately from the motor power supply.
A higher-rated contactor may sometimes be electrically capable of switching a smaller motor, but bigger is not automatically better.
Physical size, overload compatibility, auxiliary accessories, coil characteristics, coordination and cost should all be considered.
The contactor and motor-protection devices should be selected as a coordinated motor starter.
Western Automation stocks a wide range of Schneider Electric TeSys Deca LC1D contactors, including popular coil voltages and current ratings, with competitive online pricing and fast UK delivery.
Our technical sales team can also help identify obsolete Schneider or Telemecanique contactors, select overload relays and find compatible Schneider accessories.
If you're unsure which Schneider contactor you require, send Western Automation:
Motor kW
Motor voltage
Motor full-load current
Required coil/control voltage
Existing contactor part number, if replacing one
Photograph of the existing contactor label if available
Our team can help identify the correct Schneider LC1D contactor, overload relay and associated TeSys components.
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